The Playground of Champions: Recipe for Oatmeal Recovery Bar

By Brittany P. Anderson

Home to the Ironman World Championships, Hilo to Volcano Ultra Marathon, and the invite-only Ultraman World Championship, Hawai‘i Island is an endurance athleteʻs paradise. The unpredictable weather coupled with unforgiving terrain makes Hawai‘i Island the ultimate test to pushing one’s body to the limit.

Training for any of the fun runs or competitive events in Hawai‘i takes physical and mental strength. Athletes will often talk about hitting a wall, somewhere around the 6–16-mile mark when the body feels slow or feet feel weighed down. It takes mental fortitude to push through “the wall,” to see past temporary discomfort and reach the finish line. 

Of the competitions held on the island, Ultraman World Championship is the most renowned competition in the world. Started in 1983, the race is invitation-only, capped at 40 participants. Ultraman challengers cover 320 miles, essentially circling the entire island in just three days. It starts with a 6.2-mile open-ocean swim from Kailua pier to Keauhou. From Keauhou, athletes bike 90 miles to the Kīlauea Military Camp in Volcano for the end of day one. The second day is an incredible 171.4-mile bike ride from the back gate at the camp, finishing with an elevation climb of over 8,000 feet at Kamehameha Park in Kapa‘au. Day 3 starts at 6am for the run from Hawi, down Akoni Pule to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, ending in Kailua-Kona. Athletes have just 12 hours to finish on the last day or they’re disqualified, and must wait until the following year to try qualifying again. 

There are no prizes—just bragging rights that you finished the most elite triathlon on the planet. Usually held over Thanksgiving, the 2021 Ultraman World Championship will be held from November 26th through 28th. 

The Hilo to Volcano Ultramarathon is filled with runners from all over the world and right here at home. The ultramarathon can be completed solo or in teams of three, which switch off every three miles to complete the 50K. Runners start at sea level in Hilo and end at the Cooper Center in Volcano, climbing 4,000 feet throughout the route. 

Of course, the Ironman World Championship is one of the most popular events on Hawai‘i Island. Held in Kailua-Kona, athletes begin flocking to the island in the weeks leading up to the race to acclimatize and size up the competition. 

Local athletes vie for the coveted Ironman lottery spots during the year—several places are explicitly held for residents, bypassing some of the competition requirements.

The island has undoubtedly made its mark in the triathlon world. Bicycle manufacturers design specific bike frames for windy locales, testing their designs in the crosswinds of Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway; however, it’s not just bikes that are put to the test. Queen Ka‘auhmanu Highway is where the true mettle of an athlete is tested with its unforgiving winds and unrelenting heat—it is the spot that makes or breaks you.

You don’t have to run around the entire island or cycle Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway to appreciate the grit and determination it takes to be an athlete in Hawai‘i. Training for your first 5k is one of the most challenging steps. Finding the proper nutrition to support pre-workout, post-workout, and during events can be difficult for all athletes. 

Having been a triathlete fueled by locally sourced whole foods, I know that picking out the right food to help reach your athletic goals can be daunting. From paleo to keto, there’s big business in selling meal plans, energy drinks, and endurance gel to athletes. 

This vegan, gluten free Oatmeal Recovery Bar recipe is an easy starting point for a homemade energy bar. The base ingredients help to replenish lost electrolytes while offering carbohydrates and protein to fuel recovery. Use your favorite nuts like almond, macadamia, pecan, cashew, or a combination. To kick the bar into overdrive, you could add mashed purple sweet potatoes with the banana or fold in chocolate chips. 

Oatmeal Recovery Bar

2 cups oats, steel cut preferred
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 
1 cup chopped nuts 
1/2 cup chopped dried figs
1/2 tsp sea salt 
1 tsp cinnamon 
1/4 cup honey 
1/4 cup coconut oil 
2 Tbs almond butter
1 cup ripe banana, mashed (approx. 3 bananas)

Method 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13 casserole dish with a little bit of coconut oil. Then, line with parchment. Combine oats, coconut, nuts, and figs in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix spices, honey, oil, and almond butter. Mix mashed banana into liquid, then pour over dry ingredients and mix well. Now, pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for 20 minutes. Turn onto a cooling rack allowing to cool fully until cutting into squares. Serve alone or topped with coconut mana or other favorite toppings. Enjoy!